DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One

I just got the first chapter up and finished the second, I hope you enjoy. If you have any comments, questions, suggestions please feel free to review, I acctually encourage it .


Chapter 2: The Palace

Pain. That was all Alanna could feel, was pain.

Slowly, the nine-year-old girl opened her eyes. Everything was blurry, but as she blinked, the world came into focus. Two indistinct flesh-colored blobs she had seen became the faces of Coram, the man-servant that found her after each whipping, and Thom, Alanna's twin brother. They both looked very worried. In fact, they looked more worried than they normally did after she was whipped.

This time had been worse, her back and legs were still a mess of flesh blood and skin. It no longer looked like it belonged to a young girl who should have lead a pampered life, no it was that of a seasoned warrior.

Alanna opened her mouth to try and speak, but all that came out was a gasp of pain. Coram helped her drink cool water. Oh, that water felt good on her parched throat. She finally noticed that Maude, the village healer, who was always there to heal her, wasn't there.

After drinking two flasks of water, Alanna's throat was wet enough to speak. "Where's Maude?" was the first thing Alanna asked.

"Alanna, Maude went out of town, remember?" Thom said. When Alanna tried to sit up, her back hurt terribly, and she gasped in pain. Coram looked worried, and shot Thom a look that apparently asked a question. Thom nodded.

"Alanna, lass," Coram started, "ye've been whipped for to long, this 'as got to stop. Now, Thom and I talked while we were waitin' for ye to wake up, and we've decided to take you away from here, to the palace in Corus. You'll be protected there."

"Alanna, this is for your own good. This was the worst beating you've ever gotten. We need to get you away, and you'll be safe at the palace, okay? I'll be able to join you at the palace next year, when I come to become a page." Thom said. Alanna could tell that he hated sending her away, but Lord Alan had become extremely vicious.

"The sooner you agree, the sooner we leave, and the sooner you can be fixed up. Because Maude isn't here, no one could heal you. When we get to the palace, I'll take you directly to the infirmaries." Corm stated.

Alanna thought it over a little. She would finally be free from Lord Alan and his whip! But, she'd be at the palace by herself, without Thom. "Coram," Alanna asked, "will you be staying at the palace with me? Or will you return here?"

Coram looked at her regretfully, and said he would be returning, once he made sure she was settled.

"Okay, I'll go."


"Good, now, since ye haven't been healed, Thom and I will prepare everything. I want ye to rest, and no walkin' around, ye understand? Ye'll need all yer strength to get to the palace." With that, Thom and Coram left Alanna to go prepare for her escape.

Alanna gasped at the sight of the palace. It was magnificent! It was huge, with grey stone walls, and guards everywhere. Trying to look up to see it all as she and Coram came closer, Alanna moved her back a little too much, and gasped at the pain. Coram, who was riding behind her on his war-horse, since she hadn't been healed, wrapped his arms around her waist tighter, trying to help keep her still. Alanna looked all around, trying to see everything at once.

Suddenly, Coram's horse reared as a man cut right in front of him. Alanna was knocked around, and when the horse came down and stayed down, Alanna fainted into Coram's arms. Coram looked down when he felt some extra weight pushing against his stomach, and saw Alanna's white face. Worriedly, Coram spurred his horse faster through Corus to be able to get to the castle faster.

Rushing though the gate to the Palace Coram jumped from his horse before it had even come to a full stop and carefully taking the young girl into his arms. Her dress clinging to him where it touched, her wounds had been torn open again when the horse had reared in the market.

In his rush he failed to notice a boy of ten with black hair and sapphire eyes peering at him from the courtyard. The boys eyes were curious as they watched him, he noticed the blood staining the pale blue dress that was visible.

Coram not stopping to think of the consequences raced toward the palace healers, trying not to jar the precious bundle in his arms.

Bursting into the room "Please... need ...a ...'ealer" he gasped out still clinging to Alanna, afraid of letting her go.

Duke Baird, who had just sat down to finish the paper work jumped to his feet when he saw the blood dripping from the bundle the man carried and onto the floor. "On the bed! Hurry man" he wasn't even to the bed before his hands were glowing green with the gift.


ForeverSilenced; I was thinking of having Alanna meet Jon and their majesties in the next chapter. Well review and tell me what you think and I promise there will be Jon in the next chapter, well more of him at least.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW, I BEG OF YOU...